Switch construction with mounting slots



May 6, 1969 ROGERS ET AL 3,443,048

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION WITH MOUNTING SLOTS Filed June a, 1967 Sheet of 2 62 FIG-l -g g 64 2s 66L eo 58 70 72 76 74 56 62 56 I I/ "4 I I [,[q 4

FIG-3 INVENTORS GILBERT ROGERS BY DONALD E. NOONAN THEIR ATTORNEYS May 6 1969 G. ROGERS ET AL 3,443,048

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION WITH MOUNTING SLOTS Filed June 8, 1967 Sheet 3 of2 FIG-5 FIG-6 INVENTORg GILBERT ROGER THEIR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,443,048 SWITCH CONSTRUCTION WITH MOUNTING SLOTS Gilbert Rogers and Donald F. Noonan, Grove City, Ohio, assignors to Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 8, 1967, Ser. No. 651,340 Int. Cl. H0111 9/02 U.S. Cl. 200-168 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses a switch construction having a base with one or more electric conductor fastener constructions at the bottom of the base and extending upwardly into the base and being connected with a switch mounted adjacent the top of the base. One or more mounting slots extend through the base from a medial part of the base downwardly to the bottom of the base to receive one or more mounting fasteners in each of said one or more slots. The mounting fasteners may be placed in the slots of a plurality of such switch constructions, which constructions may be secured together by tightening the fasteners. Any one or more of the switch constructions may be removed by nntightening the fasteners, and a substitute switch construction may replace the removed switch construction, if desired. Methods of mounting and unmounting such a plurality of such switch constructions are also thus provided. Interlocking cavities and protrusions are provided along the sides of the base for locking the switch constructions firmly together.

This invention relates to a switch construction with mounting slots, and method of mounting the same.

In snap action switches, or switch constructions of the type herein disclosed, the normal method of mounting such switch constructions is to provide two holes which are molded through the sides of the base for the insertion of screws or bolts to permit the switch construction to be mounted from the side faces of the switch construc tion.

In molding a base for such a previous switch construction, it is necessary to incorporate into the mold separate equipment which will give a side pull in order to core out the mounting holds. This method of manufacturing slows up the speed of molding to some extent and the pins for coring these holes are subject to periodic breakage, and furthermore this side coring of equipment is expensive and adds considerably to the cost of the mold.

According to this invention, these holes are eliminated, as also is the coring equipment that is required to make the molds.

One of the advantages of this invention therefore is to provide a switch base which incorporates mounting slots which can be molded by means of the normal up and down stroke of the molding press. Also, the sides of the slots may be counterbored or countersunk to provide recessed areas which will act as a trap for the head of the mounting screw or bolt and thereby provide a positive mounting for the switch base so that the switch construction is firmly held and cannot be removed or shaken loose when the mounting screws are securely tightened.

A second type of countersunk slot of more shallow depth may be provided, partially surrounding the deeper slot, so that a washer under the screw or bolt head can be used if it is desired to use such a washer under the screw head.

Also, interlocking cavities and interlocking bosses or protrusions are provided along the sides of the base, so that the switch constructions can be interlocked to hold the switch constructions in alignment when they have been secured together by tightening the bolts and to allow the switch constructions to be removed or inserted, when it is desired to assemble the switch constructions together.

One of the features of this invention includes a base having one or more electric conductor fastener constructions at the bottom of the base and extending upwardly into the base, with a switch mounted adjacent the top of the base and having electrical connections with said electric conductor fastener constructions. One or more mounting slots extend transversely through the base from a medial part of the base downwardly to the bottom of the base to receive one or more mounting fasteners in each of said one or more slots. A plurality of such switch constructions may be assembled together side by side with one or more mounting fasteners extending through such one or more slots and holding the switch constructions securely together, and the mounting fasteners may be unfastened to permit removal or insertion of substitute switch constructions from and to such assembly of switch construction so produced, when desired.

This also provides a method of assembling switch constructions of this invention and/ or disassembling some of such switch constructions and replacing them with substitute switch constructions.

Other features of this invention are apparent from this description, the appended claimed subject matter, and/or 'the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a switch construction according to this invention, with certain parts in cross section.

FIGURE 2 is an end view of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a cross section along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of an assembly of a plurality of switch constructions mounted together on a mounting plate.

FIGURE 6 is an end view of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a cross section along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a view of a portion of FIGURE 7, with a washer interposed between the bolt head and the switch base.

Certain words may be used in this specification and in the claimed subject matter indicating direction, relative position, and the like. Such words are used for the sake of brevity and clearness. However, it is to be understood that such words are used only in connection with the various figures of the drawings, and that in actual use, the parts so described may have entirely different direction, relative position and the like. Examples of such words are vertical, horizontal, upper, lower, etc.

A switch construction 20, according to this invention, may include a base 22, which may be substantially rectangular, having one or more electric conductor fastener constructions, such as 24, 26 and 24. These conductor fastener constructions may be any well known fastener constructions which may extend upwardly into the base 22 from the-bottom of the base, and each may be electrically connected to a part of a switch 28 which is mounted along or adjacent the top of the base 22, and which has electrical connections with said fastener constructions 24, 26 and 24.

The construction is such that a plurality of these switch constructions. 20 may be assembled side by side, as an assembly 27, as shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 and may be securely fastened together and mounted on a mounting plate 30 or the like by means of one or more fasteners 32 in a manner so that the fasteners 32, such as bolts or screws, may be fastened or tightened to hold the switch constructions together, or may be loosened or unfastened, to allow any one switch construction, such as 20A, FIG- URE 7, to be removed from or inserted into the switch construction assembly 27 merely by disconnecting the conductors 34 of any one switch construction 20A and then removing such switch construction from, and inserting a substitute switch construction into the assembly 27, as indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 7.

If it is desired to mount the assembly 27 of switch constructions 20 on a support, such as the mounting plate 30, each of the switch constructions may have one or more mounting slots 36 which extend through the base 22 transversely to the length thereof, from a medial part of the base downwardly to the bottom of the base to receive one or more mounting fasteners 32, such as bolts or screws, in each of said one or more slots. These fasteners 32 may transverse to the assembled switch constructions 20.

Each of the one or more mounting slots 36 may have one or more countersunk deeper cavities 38 on each side of the base 22 to receive a mounting fastener head 40, as shown in FIGURES and 7.

Such deeper countersunk cavities 38 may be partially surrounded by one or more shallower countersunk cavities 42 which can receive one or more washers 44, FIG- URE 8, if it is desired to interpose a washer 44, such as a lock washer, between the fastener head 40 and the switch base 22.

One or more interlocking cavities 46 may be placed. along one side of the base 22 to receive one or more interlocking protrusions or bosses 48 on the other side of the base 22, so that the interlocking protrusions 46 of one switch construction 20 may interlock with protrusions 48 of a similar adjacently mounted switch construction 20, as is shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7.

Each of the cavities 46 may extend to the top 50 of the base 22. If desired, each of the protrusions 48 may likewise extend to the top 50 of the base 22, as shown in FIGURE 2. The relationship of the cavities 46 and protrusions 48 are such that when the mounting fasteners 32 are unfastened or loosened, by relative turning of the fastener heads 40 with respect to the nut constructions 52, then a relative movement between adjacent switch constructions 20 may be produced, by pulling any one ore more of the switch constructions 20, such as 20A, out of the assembly 27, in an upward direction, if desired, and the new or substitute switch construction 20 may be placed in the assembly 27, or the like. If desired, a lock washer 54 will be interposed between the nut 52 and the mounting plate 30.

The switch construction 22 may also include a cover 56 which has flanges 58 which telescope over suitable recesses 59 in the sides of base 22.

A suitable actuating plunger 60 passes through the top of the cover 56 with one end 62 outside of the cover and with an actuating end 64 inside the cover and engaging and actuating a switch to be described.

In the embodiment shown, the switch construction 22 may have two outer conductor fasteners 24, 24 and one central conductor fastener 26, all at the bottom of the base 22. These receive the electrical conductors 34, and have electrical connections with the switch 28. For example, the left hand conductor fastener 24 may be connected to the common pivot 66 of the snap switch 28. The switch 28 may have a snap blade 68, a pivot blade 70, and a snap spring construction 72 The snap blade 68 may have a pair of movable contacts 74, which alternately engage the stationary contacts 76 and 78. The left hand conductor fastener 24 may be connected to a common line 34. The upper stationary contact 74 may be electrically connected to the right hand conductor fastener 24, and a conductor 34, and the lower stationary contact 78 may be electrically connected to the central conductor fastener 26 and to another conductor 34. However, the switch construction mounted on the base 22, may be of any other suitable switch construction desired, and may be electrically connected to two or three electrical conductors 34, as desired.

The base member 22 may be provided with two mounting slots 36 with one respective slot on each side of the central conductor fastener 26, and on the inside of a respective outer conductor fastener 24.

Each of the mounting slots 36 may each have a countersunk deeper cavity 38 at each end of the slot 38 to receive the heads of fasteners in such deeper cavities 38. Each of the slots 36 may also have a shallower countersunk cavity 42 surrounding each of the cavities 38. The shallower cavities 42 may receive lock washers 42.

The base 22 may also have two interlocking cavities 46' along one side of the base 22 and may have two interlocking protrusions 48 along the opposite side of the base 22 to interlock with interlocking cavities in an adjacentswitch construction similar to the previously described switch construction. Each of the interlocking cavities 46 and the interlocking protrusions 48 may extend to the top of the base 22 to permit the interlocking cavities 46 and the protrusions 48 to slide with respect to each other for the removal and/or insertion of switch constructions 20 as shown in FIGURE 7.

Also, the switch constructions 20 may each have a cover 56 over the base 22 and an actuating plunger 62 passing through the cover with one end 62 outside of the cover and with an actuating end 64' inside of the cover and actuating the switch 28, such as at the snap blade 68.

A method of assembling the assembly 27 of switch constructions 20 shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, includes the use of a plurality, such as two fasteners or bolts 32 which eventually may be mounted in holes 80 in the mounting plate 30, if desired. The nuts 52 may be loosely threaded onto the ends of the bolts 32, so that the distance between the heads 40 and the nuts 52 is relatively more than required when fastened or tightened. The switch constructions 20 may be mounted over the mounting fasteners 32, with the slots 36 straddling the bolts or screws 32. At the same time, the cavities 46 and protrusions 48 may be telescoped with respect to each other, and the power lines or electrical conductors 34 are connected to the conductor fastener constructions 24 and 26. Thereafter, if it is ever desired to remove a switch construction from the assembly 27, because it has become inoperative or the like, the bolts 32 may be loosened or unfastened sufficiently to allow any desired switch construction, such as 20A, to be moved away from the assembly 27, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 7 and a substitute switch construction may be telescoped into the vacancy thus produced, and the original power lines or conductors 34 may then be reconnected to the conductor fasteners 24, 26, and 24 of the new or substitute switch construction.

This is an advantageous method of assembling a bank or assembly 27 of switch constructions 20, as is shown. It is to be noted that the protrusions 48 of each of the switch constructions 20 which are adjacent to the mounting plate 30 are slidable in grooves 82 provided in the plate 30, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, if desired. This firmly holds all of the switches in proper position, since the holding or locking action is transmitted to all of the protrusions 48 of all of the switch constructions 20 of the assembly 27.

It is thus to be seen that a new switch construction 20, switch construction assembly 27, and method of assembling a plurality of switch constructions 20 have been provided.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch construction comprising, a base having at least one conductor fastener construction at the bottom of said base and extending upwardly into said base, a switch mounted adjacent the top of said base and having at least one electrical connection with said at least one conductor fastener connection at least one mounting slot extending through said base from a medial part of said base downwardly to the bottom of said base to receive at least one mounting fastener in said at least one slot.

2. A plurality of switch constructions side by side, each switch construction being according to claim 1, and at least one mounting fastener passing through said at least one mounting slot in said switch constructions, said fastener being tightened to hold said switch constructions together.

3. A plurality of switch constructions according to claim 2, said at least one mounting fastener passing through and being secured to a mounting plate against which one of said switch constructions is mounted.

4. A construction according to claim 1, having at least one countersunk cavity along the side of said base at one end of said at least one mounting slot to receive a mounting fastener head in said at least one cavity.

5. A construction according to claim 4 with said base having at least one shallower countersunk cavity outwardly of each of said first named at least one countersunk cavity to receive a washer under each said fastener head.

6. A construction according to claim 1 having at least one interlocking cavity along the side of said base to receive at least one interlocking protrusion of an adjacently mounted switch construction substantially similar to said first named switch construction.

7. A construction according to claim 6 with said first named construction having at least one interlocking protrusion to interlock into said at least one interlocking cavity in an adjacently mounted switch construction substantially similar to said first named switch construction.

8. A constructiton according to claim 6 in which said at least one interlocking cavity extends to the top of said base to permit said at least one interlocking cavity and said first named switch construction to slide for connection and disconnection of said constructions when said at least one mounting fastener is unfastened.

9. A switch construction according to claim 1 with said base having two outer conductor fastener constructions of said at least one conductor fastener construction and one central conductor fastener construction of said at least one conductor fastener construction at the bottom of said base, said conductor fastener constructions having electrical connections with said switch,

said base having two outer mounting slots of said at least one mounting slot, one on each side outwardly from said central conductor fastener construction and inwardly from each of said outer conductor fastener constructions, each of said mounting slots having counter sunk cavities at each end of said slots and on each side of said base to receive heads of mounting fasteners in said cavities, each of said slots also having shallower countersunk cavities surroundeach of said first named countersunk cavities to receive washers under heads of mounting fastener constructions in said shallower cavities, said base having two interlocking cavities along one side of said base and having two interlocking projections along the opposite side of said base to interlock with interlocking cavities in a second named switch construction similar to said first named switch construction, each of said interlocking cavities extending to the top of said base to permit said interlocking cavities and said first named switch construction to slide relatively to the interlocking projection of said second named switch construction.

10. A plurality of switch constructions side by side, each switch construction being according to claim 9, and two fastener constructions passing through said two mounting slots in said switch constructions, said fastener constructions being tightened to hold said switch constructions together.

11. A plurality of switch constructions according to claim 10, said two mounting fastener constructions passing through and being secured to a mounting plate against which one of said switch constructions is mounted.

12. A switch construction according to claim 9 with said construction having a cover over said base, and an actuating plunger passing through said cover with one end outside said cover and with an actuating end inside said cover and actuating said switch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,182,163 5/1965 Baumer.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner. 

